HUGELY disappointed at the departure of the "phenomenal" Kevin Nolan, fellow former Newcastle skipper Mick Martin has questioned the logic of allowing him to leave St James' Park.

Martin warned United that his “boots will take a lot of filling”, and queried how long before Joey Barton follows him out of Tyneside.

Nolan was having a medical at West Ham United yesterday.

But as a crowd favourite with a “big influence” at the Toon, the 28-year-old is exactly the calibre of player Martin believes the club should be retaining.

For otherwise, he adds, allowing such stars to leave simply hands fans the bullets to fire at owner Mike Ashley.

“I’m hugely disappointed to be honest,” Martin told the Chronicle.

“Nolan’s been a very good player for us and a big influence in the dressing room. His boots will take a lot of filling.

“I’m disappointed and the fans will be too. Why sell him? I don’t think he would want to go, or drop down a division.

“He’s settled here and it’s a long way to London, and not as easy to settle there.

“Like Joey Barton, he’s become a crowd favourite and these are the types you must retain. They both had difficulty settling in at first but won the crowd over, got their confidence back with a great season in the Championship and went on from there.

“Nolan worked hard, was a big influence in the Championship, and 12 goals this last season is a phenomenal return from midfield.

“It’s harsh he’s leaving and he’ll be hard to replace.

“Now they need to get someone in quickly and, while I believe in the value of signing foreign players who have done something, the greater priority should surely be on local players or at least those who are familiar with and known to the Premier League.

“These are the types of player fans can associate with.

“I’ve nothing against foreign players, but in Newcastle it’s important to have a presence from the North East and the UK.

“The club has struggled with that since Andy Carroll left and now Nolan is on his way.

“You still have the likes of Steven Taylor and Steve Harper but you need as many players with influence as possible. If Nolan goes, how long before Barton does?

“Crowd favourites are very difficult to replace, and letting them go just gives fans more ammunition to fire at the owner.”